An improved bus network in Leighton Buzzard was introduced on 9 May, including a trial of free travel that will last until Christmas. The work is thanks to a combination of Section 106 developer funding and Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) money allocated to Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC).
The local authority says that some parts of the previous network were at risk of withdrawal before the funding was secured. Arriva has gained the contract to provide the town routes, which have been branded Leighton’s Buses. It is using nearly-new Alexander Dennis Enviro200s for the task. Four are required between Monday and Saturday with two on Sundays.
In addition to local services, the free travel applies to commercial interurban routes 150, F70 and F77 within Leighton Buzzard. CBC says that the prolonged provision of fare-free bus travel is a first of its kind across a town network in the UK.
The local authority adds that the overhauled network has introduced evening and Sunday services for the first time in some years. Links to key traffic generators such as the town centre, supermarkets, a retail park and Leighton Buzzard railway station are improved, with the latter connected by bus to the town centre up to seven times per hour.
Arriva’s Enviro200s have displaced Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based minibuses. The newer stock has audio/visual next stop announcement equipment along with USB charging and free wi-fi. Each Enviro200 will be named after a character from The Borrowers to recognise the author of those stories, Mary Norton, who once lived in Leighton Buzzard.
CBC says that the free travel trial “is intended to raise awareness of the new bus network and encourage residents to sample the services.” Sustainable Transport and Active Travel Manager Steve Lakin adds that CBC has worked closely with Arriva and the developers to redesign bus provision.
“We hope that this will support families and, especially, young people, allowing them to travel sustainably within the town without the worry of travel costs,” comments Mr Lakin. CBC will be monitoring the trial closely, including the impact on car parking levels in Leighton Buzzard and at the railway station.
Arriva Head of Commercial Toby France says that the operator welcomes the opportunity to work with CBC on the new network. “We are excited to help make Leighton Buzzard a free-bus town and look forward to applying the learnings from this scheme to other networks in the future.”
Central Bedfordshire Council was indicatively allocated £3.7 million of BSIP money in 2022, with its submission one of the 31 funded by the government.
